BC vs. Alberta: Who's Better?

Situated on either side of the Rockies, B.C. and Alberta have decidedly distinctive personalities. The current disagreement between the province’s premiers on how best to approach the Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal is just one example of the differences.

B.C. has the ethereal spirit bear. Alberta has very cool big horn sheep -- but it also has rats now.
Winner: B.C.

This is a tough one. The Vancouver Canucks have Fin, and Miga, Quatchi, Sumi and Mukmuk (pictured with Prince Charles and Camilla) greeted visitors at the 2010 Olympics. However, Alberta is home to a strangely alliterative group of mascots: Harry the Horse (Calgary Stampede), Harvey the Hound (Calgary Flames), and Hidy and Howdy (1988 Olympics).
Winner: B.C.

B.C. is home to countless quality festivals like the Sasquatch Music Festival, and the Vancouver International Children’s Festival (pictured). But Alberta’s world-known Calgary Stampede and Edmonton’s International Fringe Festival are show stoppers, bringing entire cities to a halt.
Winner: Alberta

“GRANVILLE ISLAND WINTER ALE!!,” yells B.C.’s associate editor. She’s very adamant about this choice. However, the WRaspberry Ale made by Calgary’s Wild Rose Brewery and Alley Kat Amber made in Edmonton are pretty darn tasty. We’ll give this one to the province that counts dozens of craft breweries in the vibrant industry.
Winner: B.C.

B.C. is home to the only Canadian location of Top Shop as well as quaint independent store strolls. Alberta has some BIG draws including the West Edmonton Mall and the dizzying outdoors retailer Bass Pro Shops (pictured) outside of Calgary. There’s no PST in Alberta.
Winner: Alberta

This most contentious category actually had one editor exclaiming: "Anyone else want to fight me on this? I DARE YOU." B.C. gets plenty of precipitation while Alberta takes the title for sunniest province, not to mention the warm Chinook winds in the winter. Sure, you don't have to shovel rain in B.C., but Albertans don't have to carry an umbrella everywhere they go.
Winner: Alberta

Best drivers
Alberta drivers don’t know how to merge properly and courteously. B.C. has ... Richmond, land of terrible parkers and oblivious lane changers.Winner: Tie

Best retail shopping
B.C. is home to the only Canadian location of Top Shop as well as quaint independent store strolls like Gastown and Main Street in Vancouver. Alberta has some BIG draws including the West Edmonton Mall and the dizzying gigantic outdoors retailer Bass Pro Shops outside of Calgary. But there’s no PST in Alberta.Winner: Alberta

Best weather
This most contentious category actually had one editor exclaiming: "Anyone else want to fight me on this? I DARE YOU." B.C. gets plenty of precipitation while Alberta takes the title for sunniest province, not to mention the warm Chinook winds in the winter. Sure, you don't have to shovel rain in B.C., but Albertans don't have to carry an umbrella everywhere they go.Winner: Alberta